The Problem With Obesity

At the start of the 20th century, obesity was incredibly uncommon. However, as America shifted from an agrarian society to an industrial one, obesity became one of America's most prominent epidemics. Americas food industry shifted with the increase in demand “Since 1980, obesity prevalence among US adults has soared from 14% to 42%.” (Dariush 1). Obesity is caused by many factors both psychologically and environmentally. Areas where poverty is prevalent are the ones affected the most. Foods high in sugar and fructose are typically cheaper than organic foods. The American food industry has made it so that “It is commonplace and socially acceptable to sit down with a soda; most sodas have close to our Paleolithic annual intake of sugar in one fell swoop!” (Matthews 1). Obesity begins as an unhealthy pattern, and if left ignored, will cause obstacles in a person's lifestyle and health. Though the statistics of obesity in America are ever growing, there are changes that our society can implement to slow down the growth of this social epidemic.

Obesity is a result of the overconsumption of food. It is Americas food industry that is allowing a weak health infrastructure. The obesity epidemic was not an issue one hundred years ago so why is it an issue now? Many average people have misleadingly concluded that obesity rates in America are growing because of over-consumption. However, doctors have found that the problem is not always how much is consumed. Rather, the issue is the chemicals and ingredients used to produce what is being consumed. According to WebMD, in a book written by Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, she claims that “Recommendations about healthy eating are overwhelmed by the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of advertising for junk foods that we're subjected to at home and even in public schools.” (Griffin 1). The problem with junk foods is their prominent levels of sweeteners, chemicals, and lack of valuable nutrients. Often, in trying to satisfy a craving, the body is also trying to satisfy a nutrient deficiency. This leads people to eat more of the wrong things in search of satisfying the nutrients they are unknowingly lacking.

However, lowering obesity rates is not as simple as promoting a new diet trend. Some doctors blame the increase in obesity on genetics and an individual's metabolism. There are people that naturally gain weight faster than others. As a result, it is harder for those individuals to lose the weight they have gained so easily. Since the obesity epidemic first began in the 1980’s, the human body has been struggling to keep up with the rapid changes. “Along with the increase in obesity there is a parallel increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance [7,8], and other complications of obesity, such as hypertension, sleep apnea, and arthritis.” (Singla 1). The quality of life in America is negatively influenced because of these additional illnesses.

The obesity epidemic can be solved by educating Americans on how to make healthy choices. The foods causing obesity rates to spike often include chemicals to trigger feelings of cravings or rewards. In doing so, Americans are driven to want to buy more food to eat without ever feeling satisfied. Each dollar that goes towards buying these unhealthy foods is a consumers vote for the continuation of oversaturated foods and portions. Consumers can play a role in changing the food industry by buying less junk and fast food. This would effectively change the food industry in terms of what is being produced and at what cost. According to Dr. George Bray, “By making ultra-processed food more expensive, Bray says, the resulting market forces would lead consumers to "pick things that are healthier." (US News 1). If more Americans, make educated and healthier choices, then the risk for obesity would significantly be reduced. By eating smaller more mindful portions of foods that are fulfilling and rich in nutrients, people’s unhealthy cravings would be reduced.

In addition, people will choose healthier foods because it will be more affordable. Dr. Carolyn Matthews MD claims that if Americans “Vote with your fork and your wallet: if we don't buy it, food producers will adjust accordingly.” (Matthews 1). A lot of the time people are stuck financially in a cycle of buying cheap prepackaged junk food. According to Medical News today, “States with more than 35% of people living in poverty had a 145% increase in the number of people with obesity compared with richer states.” Buying organic produce regularly is something that is simply not practical for lower income households. This is an issue that is not limited to the U.S. “In developed countries, obesity rates are often higher in low-income communities due to less access to foods with nutritional value, such as fruits and vegetables.” This suggests that the obesity epidemic is not limited to consumers but rather their accessibility to foods on the market.

In a study published by the national academy of sciences they found that “In experiments feeding mice plenty of sweetened high-fat food for 24 hours increased the levels of dopamine in their brains and led them to eat more.” (Daily Mail) Thus concluding that the junk foods consumed by Americans are enacting the same effects. Foods are being processed to make consumers consistently go back for more. In doing so, the food industry is profiting from the control that these foods have on our society. The issue is in the chemicals being put in the foods that Americans consume. Further putting emphasis on why Americans would benefit from making healthy foods more affordable and accessible.

The marketing industry plays a huge role in making junk food desirable. Therefore, the temptation to eat unhealthy processed foods is prominent in society. As a result, this contributes to the issue of overconsumption. Obesity in America is constantly on the rise partially because Americans choose to eat substantial portions, and this causes them to overeat. “Recommendations about healthy eating are overwhelmed by the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of advertising for junk foods that we’re subjected to at home and even in public schools. And as fast food companies and chains compete with one another by increasing portion sizes, our waists are increasing proportionately.” (WebMD). By doing so, society has normalized the habit of supersized eating.

The obesity epidemic is not a social epidemic that can be solved overnight. Larger portions and cheap prices continue to feed the temptation to consume oversaturated foods. If consumers change the market to make healthier foods more affordable than junk foods, obesity will decrease.

Works Cited

Dariush Mozaffarian, Perspective: Obesity—an unexplained epidemic, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 115, Issue 6, June 2022, Pages 1445–1450, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac075

Griffin, Morgan R. “Obesity Epidemic ‘Astronomical.’” WebMD, www.webmd.com/obesity/features/obesity-epidemic-astronomical. Accessed 27 July 2023.

Jackson, Sarah E, et al. “The Obesity Epidemic - Nature via Nurture: A Narrative Review of High-Income Countries.” SAGE Open Medicine, 28 Apr. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7222649/.

Matthews, Carolyn M. “Exploring the Obesity Epidemic.” Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 25 July 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3377298/.

Millar, Hellen. “Obesity and Poverty: Link, Statistics and More.” Medical News Today, 25 Apr. 2023, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/obesity-and-poverty#risk-factors.

Parry, Lizzie. “High-Calorie Treats ’flood the Brain’s Reward System with Feel-Good Chemicals.” Daily Mail Online, 15 Feb. 2016, www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3448153/Junk-food-really-addictive-High-calorie-treats-flood-brain-s-reward-feel-good-chemicals-leaving-wanting-more.html.

Singla, Parul, et al. “Metabolic Effects of Obesity: A Review.” World Journal of Diabetes, 15 July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083889/.

Williams, Joseph P. “Possible Solutions to the Obesity Epidemic - U.S. News & World Report.” US News, 17 May 2019, www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-05-17/possible-solutions-to-the-obesity-epidemic.